Pokémon Sword and Shield TMs: locations list for where to find every TM in Galar

A list of all the TMs and their locations we've confirmed so far.

Guide
by Chris Tapsell, Staff Writer

Updated on 10 December 2019

TMs are dotted around Pokémon Sword and Shield's region of Galar much the same as they are in any mainline Pokémon game before it, and are still incredibly useful. On this page, then, we'll start with a full list of TM locations, before diving in to explaining them in a little mroe depth.

You'll get TMs - or Technical Machines, to give them their full name - from a variety of sources, including anything from gifts for beating trainers in battle to items you can stumble across out in the wild. And are still reusable without breaking - although the actual number of TMs seems to have reduced compared to previous mainline games like Pokémon Sun and Moon, with the introduction of single-use TRs making up the numbers.

Pokémon Sword and Shield TMs explained: what are Technical Machines and how do they work?

If you're new to Pokémon - or returning for the first time in a while - there are a few basics to bear in mind with TMs. Here's a quick rundown of other useful things to know:

You can use TMs as many times as you like - unlike the originals, TMs are no longer one-time-use items. Use them on as many Pokémon as you see fit! TRs, however, are different - and can only be used once.

The same Pokémon can use the same TM again if you delete the move - it can't learn two of the same move of course, but say your Pokémon forgot the Thunder Wave you taught it, you can just use the TM again if you change your mind and want it back.

There are no HMs - these hard-to-unlearn versions of TMs are no longer in the game, and are instead replaced in Sword and Shield by the ability to ride your Rotom Bike on water (which you learn upon visiting Route 9), or call a Flying Taxi.

Not every Pokémon can use every TM - this is a basic one that most people will know, but note that just because you have the Breaking Swipe TM, for instance, that doesn't mean your Pikachu can learn it!

TMs, as well as TRs, are one of the best things you can do to make your Pokémon stronger - Use your TMs! They can transform your run-of-the-mill Pokémon into competitively viable ones by giving them better type coverage (meaning they're stronger against a wider range of opposition types) or more utility (like the ability to cause status conditions or change the weather), and can give access to strong moves much earlier than Pokémon would learn them themselves, too.

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